10:58pm: Rapoport has officially reported that Hutchinson’s broken tibia is season-ending. The loss is obviously huge for the Lions’ defense who will need to triage their defensive ends group, but the loss of this season is perhaps bigger for Hutchinson. The 24-year-old’s incredible production through four games had him in conversations as a potential Defensive Player of Year, albeit an extremely early candidate for the award.
Hutchinson will miss the remainder of the season, but his prognosis to return for 2025 does not appear to be in question. The Lions, though, still have 2024 to contend with. How they will address the defensive ends position remains to be seen.
7:14pm: The Lions experienced an impressive win today in a dominant performance over the Cowboys. In the midst of that victory, though, the team suffered a brutal loss. As star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson tackled quarterback Dak Prescott for the team’s third sack of the day, Hutchinson appeared to suffer a serious leg injury. 
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that Hutchinson would stay in Dallas for immediate treatment and that “obviously he’s going to be down for a little while.” Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported that Hutchinson would be undergoing immediate surgery for a broken tibia, an injury he reported to be “season-ending.” The Lions will likely have more tests performed and treatments done before coming to that conclusion themselves.
As Hutchinson descended to the ground in the third quarter, bringing Prescott down with him, cameras could just pick up what appeared to be a bend in Hutchinson’s leg below the knee, a gruesome indicator of a broken bone. The medical carts were rushed onto the field, where an aircast was applied to his left leg before he was carted off the field into the locker room, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport followed that up with a quick report that Hutchinson had been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a lower leg injury.
The NFL’s No. 2 overall draft pick in 2022, Hutchinson has lived up to his draft stock thus far. As a rookie, Hutchinson was dynamic all over the field. Not only did he make plays on an improved defense as a pass rusher, totaling 9.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits, but he also added value as a disruptive force. Hutchinson tallied nine tackles for loss, three passes defensed, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries during his rookie campaign.
Hutchinson avoided a sophomore slump, improving on his rookie numbers with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, one interception, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two more fumble recoveries. In only four games in 2024, Hutchinson was showing signs of improvement once again. He entered the day with 6.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble, all stats that were on track for new career highs. He added a sack, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits before exiting today’s contest.
Hutchinson’s injury is only the latest of what has been a slew of injuries in Detroit this year. The Lions already have 13 players on injured reserve, including five on the defensive line and eight on the defensive side of the ball. By the end of today’s game, Detroit ruled out seven more players, including Hutchinson.
If Hutchinson’s leg injury is as serious as it appeared, his name will be the latest placed on IR in Detroit. The Lions’ defensive ends room is looking extremely bare with Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky, and Nate Lynn all on IR. In addition, or more aptly subtraction, James Houston has missed two games, as well.
Houston suffered a fractured ankle in Week 2 of the 2023 season, and though he attempted to make a comeback late in the year, the injury ended up being season-ending. He seems to be healthy at this point, but a combination of limited snaps and healthy scratches have kept him from contributing this year. Houston made an impact in 2022 as a rookie, tallying eight sacks across from Hutchinson, but lately has struggled to get back on the field. His return could be key during this time when bodies are scarce.
If the Lions can get Houston back to his rookie form, he would likely line up across from Josh Paschal as the starter. One would also expect practice squad edge rusher Isaac Ukwu to get promoted to the active roster after getting elevated from the practice squad today. Past that, Detroit will need to get creative with how it fills out the ends of its defensive line. There’s seems to be a bit of hope that Hutchinson might return late in the year as major outlets and Campbell have yet to call the injury a season-ender, but the outlook is grim for now.
They are screwed for sure. There’s no replacing him.
They are still very very good. Hutchinson is a high caliber player, but I don’t see him doing TJ Watt like game changing plays multiple times a game. They will be fine with that offense and they have playmakers on defense, the rookies get better each game.
And I’m sure Bears fans were delighted that Fox forced them to sit through a 47-9 runaway … because Dallas.
It didn’t bother us at all. Most were asleep after waking up before the rooster start crowing to watch our game.
Not that I don’t enjoy seeing a really significant Cowboy beat down, But even I hated seeing that happen to Hutchinson. I hate it when great players go down. They wouldn’t show the replay but from what I did manage to see nobody touched him he just got twisted funny. Is that about right? Hutchinson is a drink stirrer and will be missed no matter how much people say it won’t.
This is closer to career ending than season ending. He’ll be back, but no shot it’ll be this year
Uhh Nick Chubb damn near tore everything in his knee last year and is coming back. He didn’t break fibula & Tibia nor the femur. He will be back he has the best care possible due to his work and status.
Last year right? I said he’d be back, the article talked about him coming back this year.
You basically said nothing but brought up a player that has nothing to do with this at all. Good on ya
You said absolutely nothing regarding how it is career ending which is what you said… it is a broken leg and many players have come back in sports from broken legs or worse… like Chubb will be coming back from.
Damn this really sucks. Hopefully he comes back as the same quarterback menace next year.
Ugh, just awful. Easy player to like leveling up to superstar on a team ready to contend. They still have a shot given how wide open the NFC is, but this is brutal.
That was Tim Krumrie level of bad. For those of you not old enough to remember that Super Bowl injury, don’t Google it. Much respect and best wishes.
Worse than theisman or Bryant young?
NFL Network highlight show played the play a couple of times, you don’t see much of anything.
A trade for Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson would be great, as this is the year to go for it all in, but I will support whatever the Lions braintrust decides.
The Raiders aren’t trading Crosby for anything less than 2 1sts.
And lions should do it
The have to talk to the Jets. Could they also try to kick the tires on Chandler Jones?
Do you think they could convince Reddick to drop his demands?
Nope, he wanted an extension in Philly who was viewed as title contender. Jets defense viewed highly and possibly could have carried Jets to playoffs still wanted contract. He wants the extension regardless and seeing what just happen to Hutchinson he sure isn’t stepping on field without the guarantees.
Do the Lions give up next year’s 1st rounder plus another future pick for Maxx Crosby? I’ll bet the Bears make an offer for Maxx very soon, during their bye week starting Tuesday. Holding Carolina’s 2025 2nd from the Bryce Young deal gives the Bears a second top 35 pick, could outbid Detroit.
Btw, this Bears fan not celebrating Hutch’s injury. The guy is superstar in the making and vitally needed in Motown. Hope he recovers completely!
You’re joking right?
I think Crosby will cost two 1sts in consecutive years, or a 1st and 2nd in 2025. My point was the Bears just might pay that since they have the additional 2nd rounder, preferring Crosby over Parsons.
NFC Central is going to be a dogfight the next several years. Poles will add a stud D-lineman through trade before the deadline. He was rumored to be after both this past offseason, although I think a DT like Tuttle or Williams would help more, costing less.
The Bears are way more likely to draft Mychel Williams from Georgia. I don’t know if you’re aware of this but Ryan Pace works in Atlanta now. The Bears no longer have a moron for a GM. So that’s not happening. Echo the thoughts about Hutchinson though.
Not sure if you know this either but the Bears are supposed to have 71 million in Cap space plus the losers they get rid of like Davis that are still figured in and no real serious needs to fill. They have a 1st, 2 2nds, a 3rd, and will probably end up with their fourth rounder back for Fields. I think they can fill the few holes they have with that. Plus you have Walker( adequate) ,Booker ( learning fast), Taylor( Better than average) and Martin and Hardy ( interesting). I seriously doubt Poles is either, Throwing all that away or doing any serious trading like previous years because there is absolutely no need to. Nobody thinks they’re going to the SB and if you do you need to see somebody. But I can see it next year with a couple of O lineman and a WR and an Edge in the 1st round. Have to replace Allen and keep building.
I hear you Unclemike, Poles is not dumb, which is why he will invest inseason rather than wait for offseason. Three things:
First, Davis inactive signals he’s on his way to be traded over the next week or two, freeing up $2M next year it would cost as a post June 1 designated cut, plus whatever they don’t eat of his 2024 salary. Bates & Borom returns will necessitate a trade or cut. There is a need across the league for healthy, vet OGs. Someone will trade for Davis, likely a 2026 7th round swap or similar.
Second, the $72M 2025 cap space provides room for a significant acquisition (~$20M/yr) without affecting their ability to extend Edwards, Sanborn, or Allen (or even Billings again) while Brisker & Gordon get extensions in-season 2025. I don’t believe any other offensive players get an extension except Allen (eg, Jenkins), and many of this year’s FA2-3 year deals can be cut short without dead money to create more space in 2025.
Third, this team’s ceiling is unknown but I’m confident Poles will be aggressive giving them a chance to go as far as possibly this year. He has done it now twice at the deadline & once before the draft. D Line is the easiest position to immediately contribute in a midseason trade (no playbook to memorize). Poles may not pay two firsts for a Crosby, Parsons, or Garrett; but he might just bluff to drive up the price that Detroit pays! A trade for a DT is much more likely….Simmons would be THE perfect add imo. Check the rosters of bottom feeders for other candidates; they will add before the deadline.
I appreciate the passion man but you have to face reality. The Bears have like 6 million bucks in Cap space for the resat of this year. You simply do not have the room to pick up a guy like Crosby or Simmons. The off season? Maybe. Now, Absolutely not. They’ve played their hand for this year. Next year, Maybe, But I highly doubt it.
It is possible, how likely is the question. They created $12M in space by extending DJ in August. Even more space could be made by extending Allen, Edwards, Taylor over the next week or two.
Davis traded could save several million or more, which should occur first. Maybe they even package a 2025 5th for a 2026 7th to get someone to eat Davis’s full remaining $, though I doubt that’ll be necessary, but Id be fine with it. The sooner, the more they save. I’m guessing he’s traded before 10/20 game (next game check).
Btw, keep an eye on Dallas. They’re on a bye and have needs at EDGE, LB, WR, RB & OG, plus $22M in cap room.
Davis & someone from Dom Rob, Sewell, Velus, & Herbert for a late round pick swap?
That’s robbing Peter to pay Paul. That’s how you get yourself into Cap Hell. Poles is smarter than that.
Brutal….. just unfair. Sucks for him and Lions fans. He’s a special player
I didn’t see it happen but that play did have a loud know which I thought was a helmet to helmet when he fell. It might have been the leg break.
He will be back he works hard, overcoming the mental part of it will be the hardest. Players constantly falling and flying around legs.
I broke both my fibula and tibia in 05 . Went thought 6 months of hell and almost 2 months withdrawing from Vicodin . I cringe every time I hear if someone breaking the fibula or tibia . I’m a bear fan but this blows for anybody and wish him a Speedy return !
Damn shame. Not a Lions fan but I enjoy watching them play.
With that lead, why was he in the game?